skating barefoot

[fish7]

Does anyone skate barefoot? I started going bare in the early 80s in high school because my skates were too tight and I have never been able to wear socks again. I tried when I got new skates but my feet cramped. The callouses I have built up came in handy yesterday when I ripped a chunk of my heel on a nail and it barely bled.

 

[kr580]

I do when I forget my socks which ends up being pretty often. I like how you get a little more airflow so your feet are always nice and cool (our rink doesn't get terribly cold.) Also it seems like I get a little more secure fit and better feel for my blades... could be in my head though, haha.

The socks I wear are pretty dang thin so there's not a whole lot of difference between the two.

 

[ChrisNI]

started with my old Nike skates about 8 years ago, continues going barefoot right up to my Vapor 40s.

Have gone back to socks with my 195s.

 

[esidebill]

I would, but I find the thin sock helps guard against the laces digging in.

 

[keysersoze98]

I've gone barefoot since my sophmore year in college in 1999ish, using 4-5 differant pairs of skates in that time. When I started reffing, I had problems with lace bite since I would be on the ice for 3-4 hours straight doing multiple games in a row. A wise man told me to use can koozies, cut them and put over the lace bite area. I've never had a problem since. I prefer the PBR ones shown below.

 

[GrafSk8r12]

I've gone barefoot since my sophmore year in college in 1999ish, using 4-5 differant pairs of skates in that time. When I started reffing, I had problems with lace bite since I would be on the ice for 3-4 hours straight doing multiple games in a row. A wise man told me to use can koozies, cut them and put over the lace bite area. I've never had a problem since. I prefer the PBR ones shown below.

That's awesome. One of the guys I play with gets lace bite, so I'll have to let him know about this!

I started playing barefoot in middle school and haven't gone back since. It just feels a lot better, like certain other things. My skates are probably the worst smelling in the locker room, though.

 

[keysersoze98]

That's awesome. One of the guys I play with gets lace bite, so I'll have to let him know about this!

I started playing barefoot in middle school and haven't gone back since. It just feels a lot better, like certain other things. My skates are probably the worst smelling in the locker room, though.

Nice, pass it on. I cut them in about 2.5" x 4" rectangles, with the 4" direction going up and down the foot. I've never had any problem with it since. Let him know I think the PBR ones are the best, but I'm sure any will work.

I have the worst smelling everything in the locker room.

 

[esidebill]

Nice, pass it on. I cut them in about 2.5" x 4" rectangles, with the 4" direction going up and down the foot. I've never had any problem with it since. Let him know I think the PBR ones are the best, but I'm sure any will work.

I have the worst smelling everything in the locker room.

I gotta be honest, shin guards always smell the worst. I have pretty pleasant feet.

 

[fish7]

Nice, pass it on. I cut them in about 2.5" x 4" rectangles, with the 4" direction going up and down the foot. I've never had any problem with it since. Let him know I think the PBR ones are the best, but I'm sure any will work.

I have the worst smelling everything in the locker room.

I put foot powder in my skates every few weeks and that helps cut down the smell

 

[keysersoze98]

I honestly just don't care. It's not like I plan to wear them to dinner one night.

 

[Wildturkey12]

I have been going sockless since the early 90s. Sure my skates stink but so does the rest of my gear. I dont think I have ever played with socks. I bought a pair when I got my newest skates, laced them up and then immediately unlaced them and took the socks off. I dont like not being able to wiggle my toes.

 

[forbs02]

As a sharpener I hate barefoot skates. They smell awful and are always wet. I hope if you skate without socks you pull your footbeds out after every skate. The rivets tend to rust out faster if you don't wear socks.

 

[Hank4Hart]

barefoot + sock tape around the ankles and lacebite areas are the best

 

[theMajor]

i only skate barefoot, it gives me a better feel for the ice. my skates stink real bad but like everyone else said, what piece of hockey gear doesnt?

 

[Flygirl16]

i only skate barefoot, it gives me a better feel for the ice. my skates stink real bad but like everyone else said, what piece of hockey gear doesnt?

Yeah I get the same thing
I use a boot dryer to make the smell less awful haha

 

[cptjeff]

I gotta be honest, shin guards always smell the worst. I have pretty pleasant feet.

I can't get the stink out of my elbow pads even when I soak 'em with the water/rubbing alcohol mix I use to sanitize everything else. My sweat soaks them all the way through in parts. Really the only item of gear I have that really stinks. Skates are a distant second, even though I wear socks.

 

[tortoise]

Could the use of an anti-bacterial hand sanitizer work to control the smell of the skate boot and stem the growth of harmful bacteria after use? Or is there something in the liquid that would be detrimental to the skate or skin? Is there something readily availalbe that would do a better job?
I've been skating barefeet since 1979 and virtually every pair of skates had died an early death not because the boot was rotting or falling apart, but the pungent smell was so powerful it would overwhelm the occupants in the locker room.

 

[ryan41]

never barefoot but i take the inside bottom of the padding out of my skates. I usually feel the boot nail against my foot but i like it.

 

[kr580]

Could the use of an anti-bacterial hand sanitizer work to control the smell of the skate boot and stem the growth of harmful bacteria after use? Or is there something in the liquid that would be detrimental to the skate or skin? Is there something readily availalbe that would do a better job?

I wouldn't use hand sanitizer. I imagine that stuff would get gunky in your skates. What my rink uses is just plain Target brand Disinfectant Spray. When we actually spray all the rental skates, not one of them has a smell. I've used it on my smelly skates before and it cuts the smell way back. You have to stick your nose IN the boot to get a whiff of anything. I imagine any aerosol Disinfectant Sprays would work like Lysol. Be sure to get the aerosol can and not the spray bottle type. And try it sparingly at first to make sure it doesn't have a negative effect on your skates or your skin.

 

[jntadt22]

I've gone sockless since my first year of Bantam. My coach played minor pro, he didn't wear socks, so I thought it might improve my chances. Too bad I suck at hockey!! Oh and by the way, my skates are ridiculous smelling. I kind of like the smell though!!